Abdominoplasty Instructions
Presurgery
- Shower night before surgery with Hibiclens (should have received from our nurse practitioner)
- Signed consent and given preop and postop instructions
- Fill prescriptions for postop medications (pain, nausea, stool softener, muscle relaxant)
- Good night rest, nothing by mouth after midnight, unless otherwise instructed
- Make sure you have been assigned a time to arrive at the surgery center
Postsurgery
- WALK, GET OUT OF YOUR BED EARLY AND OFTEN (WITH ASSISTANCE) TO HELP PREVENT POSTOP PROBLEMS
- Walk with trunk (abdomen) in “slouched or bent over position to avoid excessive tension on the incision
- Sleep with hips in a flexed position; avoids tension on incision; Elevate head and keep knees flexed
- Take pain medication as instructed
- NO SMOKING, smoking may cause wound healing problems
- Strip and record drainage output at least twice daily, if more drainage will have to record more
- Keep drainage bulbs collapsed
- WEAR ABDOMINAL BINDER OR COMPRESSION GARMENT AT ALL TIMES FOR 4 WEEKS, OK TO REMOVE to shower
- OK to shower 24 hours after surgery, wet incisions, do not scrub until instructed; blot all incisions dry
- Eating after surgery
- Start with clear liquids, as you may experience discomfort from anesthesia
- Advance slowly to soft diet for first 3 days; Avoid spicy foods and sugarfree candy
- Resume home medications unless otherwise instructed
- Begin scar treatment after drains and sutures have been removed
- SEE WOUND CARE INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Continue scar therapy for 6 months
- OK to massage liposuctioned sites at 2 weeks; focus on any hardened areas and gently massage 6x daily to help soften scar
Remember, it is vital that you make your initial post-op appointments and be seen by Dr. Jones. He will see you at least once in the first two weeks, then at one month, 6 months and 1 year.
Call to schedule your appointments at 404-400-1230 ext. 127 between the hours of 9:00 – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR PROBLEMS, PLEASE CALL US IMMEDIATELY. IF IT IS URGENT OR AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911 OR REPORT TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.
If you are not sure, please contact us and schedule an appointment to be seen. There is no such thing as a bad question or concern. We want to make sure you receive the appropriate care; the worst decision is to wait! If it is after business hours, please call our on-call hotline at 917-674-2374
